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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rubenstein on September 12, 2004, at 13:25:16
Hi, I am a grad student who has recently changed from effexor to Zoloft. My journey off of effexor was difficult and I am feeling really discombobulated since starting the Zoloft. How long can I expect to feel so awful, headache, lack of concentration, suicidal ideation, the works. Anyone been there....anyone have any success stories from the transition. Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to give.
Rubenstien
Posted by linkadge on September 12, 2004, at 16:17:33
In reply to help changing from effexor to Zoloft, posted by rubenstein on September 12, 2004, at 13:25:16
I made the transition, and with exercise was feeling good in about 2 weeks. Zoloft is a warmer antidepressant, not as sharp and jagged as effexor.
Linkadge
Posted by rubenstein on September 12, 2004, at 16:23:10
In reply to Re: help changing from effexor to Zoloft, posted by linkadge on September 12, 2004, at 16:17:33
> I made the transition, and with exercise was feeling good in about 2 weeks. Zoloft is a warmer antidepressant, not as sharp and jagged as effexor.
>
> Linkadgethanks linkadage, is it less harsh...is that kind of what you mean??? And I am on the exercise kick, thank goodness
Posted by 4WD on September 12, 2004, at 17:27:32
In reply to help changing from effexor to Zoloft, posted by rubenstein on September 12, 2004, at 13:25:16
> Hi, I am a grad student who has recently changed from effexor to Zoloft. My journey off of effexor was difficult and I am feeling really discombobulated since starting the Zoloft. How long can I expect to feel so awful, headache, lack of concentration, suicidal ideation, the works. Anyone been there....anyone have any success stories from the transition. Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to give.
> RubenstienIt could be that what you are feeling is still withdrawal from Effexor. How long have you been off Effexor and on Zoloft? Did you taper the Effexor and how gradually?
Marsha
Posted by Buckeye Fan on September 12, 2004, at 21:01:41
In reply to Re: help changing from effexor to Zoloft » rubenstein, posted by 4WD on September 12, 2004, at 17:27:32
I can tell you how the Opposite transition was for me, it was exactley as Linkage described it.
I went to Effexor FROM Zoloft...and wish now I never had.
Zoloft gave me none of the edgy feeling I got from Effexor.
I think you will like it
BF
Posted by rubenstein on September 14, 2004, at 19:30:26
In reply to Re: help changing from effexor to Zoloft » rubenstein, posted by 4WD on September 12, 2004, at 17:27:32
>
> It could be that what you are feeling is still withdrawal from Effexor. How long have you been off Effexor and on Zoloft? Did you taper the Effexor and how gradually?
>
> Marsha
>
> I jsut stopped the effexor 5 days ago, could I still be suffering withdraw. I started the Zoloft 5 days ago as well and was tapering the Effexor for a week and a half. I still feel dizzy, and am unable to concentrate and have many more sucidal feelings than before...is this normal?
Posted by 4WD on September 14, 2004, at 20:53:48
In reply to Re: help changing from effexor to Zoloft, posted by rubenstein on September 14, 2004, at 19:30:26
>
> >
> > It could be that what you are feeling is still withdrawal from Effexor. How long have you been off Effexor and on Zoloft? Did you taper the Effexor and how gradually?
> >
> > Marsha
> >
> > I jsut stopped the effexor 5 days ago, could I still be suffering withdraw. I started the Zoloft 5 days ago as well and was tapering the Effexor for a week and a half. I still feel dizzy, and am unable to concentrate and have many more sucidal feelings than before...is this normal?
>
>Yes, I'm afraid that is very normal for coming off Effexor. The withdrawal made me suicidal as well. I had periods of intense deep despair, uncontrollable crying and just generally freaking out. And I was only tapering from 37.5mg day over a period of a couple of weeks. The bad withdrawal didn't really start until I had been off Effexor for 3 or 4 days. I'm still taking a very small dose right now (tapering while switching to Cymbalta), maybe 10 mg a day and I'm still having panic attacks and a lot of anxiety. Thank God the suicidal feelings have gone.
You should talk to your pdoc but most people continue to taper the Effexor while starting the new drug. I tried not tapering myself and boy was that a mistake.
Good luck,
Marsha
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